Improved apparatus for inhaling gases



T. F. FRANK.

Apparatus for inhaling Oxygen. No. 59,000. Patented Oct. 23, 1866.

Witnesses: 2:523:10 r.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIoE.

THEODORE F. FRANK, ()F BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND DAVIDP. BENSON.

IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR INHALING GASES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 59,000, dated c m' 2 1To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THEODORE l FRANK, of the city of Butfalo, in thecounty of Erie and State of New York, have invented a certain new anduseful Improvement in Appara tus for Generating and Inhaling VitalOxygen; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exactdescription thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing,making part of this specification.

My improvement is designed more especially for the inhalation of oxygengas where the admixture therewith ot' a certain amount of air to dilutethe same is required before it is inspired; and the invention consistsin the special arrangement of the parts, for the purpose and in themanner hereinafter specified.

In the drawing, A represents a lamp; B, a retort for generating the gas,provided with a stop-cock, c, and a pipe, D, leading therefrom to thereceiver 15,01 any suitable eonstruetion, where it is bent downward,passing through the cover, terminating near the bottom, as shown atf.

G is an induction air-pipe, provided with a stop-cock, h, at its upperend, for regulating the amount of air introduced, which also terminatesnear the bottom of E. The air and gas tubes G and f have each a valve, 2i, at their lower ends, of suitable construction to close the tubes,except when there is a downward pressure of the air or gas, being shownas operated by a small coiled spring. Theuse of these valves is toprevent the entrance of the water or other liquid, J, with which thereceiver is partially filled, which might otherwise occur from thepressure of the gas upon the surface of the liquid, or, in the case ofthe tube J, from the partial vacuum formed by the cooling andcondensation of the gas within the retort when the lamp is extinguished.

K is a gas bag or reservoir, of elastic substance-asindia-rubberconnected with the top of receiver E, into which the gaspasses and accumulates till desired for inhalation.

L is a flexible inhaling-tube attached to and opening into the upperportion of the vessel E.

\Vhcre the gas is manufactured in large quantities and collected in agasometer, the pipe 1) may connect therewith instead of with the retortI).

The operation of my improvement is as follows: The necessary gas beingsupplied by the retort I or from a gasonleter or other source, passingdown the tube f, escapes by opening the valve 11 into the liquid J,whence, diffusing itself, it rises through the same into the space abovecooled and purified, and from thence flows into the bag or holder K. Thestop-cock h being opened to a greater or less extent, as required, thepatient begins to inhale through the tube L, the suction therebyproduced causing an influx and descent of air through pipe G, whence,escaping at the bottom, it rises through the liquid in a manner similarto the gas through pipe f, where it mixes with and properly dilutes thegas or vapor before it enters into the lungs.

The bag K is designed to be used more particularly with the retort B, soas to form a reservoir, into which. the gas, when not being inhaled, cancollect, the elasticity of which allows a greater or less expansion, soas to furnish a supply when the gas is inhaled faster than it is beinggenerated.

The stem to which the pipe L is attached may be closed in any waydesired when the gas is not being inhaled, in which case, there being nodraft down tube G, the valve i closes and prevents the pressure of thegas upon the surface of the liquid J from forcing the latter up thesame.

When the lamp A is extinguished, causing a condensation of the gas andthe formation of a partial vacuum in the retort and tube D, the valve iat the bottom of the tube f closes and prevents the entrance of theliquid, which would otherwise ascend the pipe and flow into the retortto restore the equilibrium.

It is evident that my apparatus is equally adapted to inhalation of anygas or mixture of gases or vapors; and the liquid J may be varied, so asto operate as a cooler, a purifier, or a medicator, or all combined, asthe different circumstances may require. The differ ence in the natureof diseases, their difl'erent stages, and the age, strength, andconstitution of diti'erent persons are circumstances which go to showthe importance of some proper means for regulating at will the strengthor degree of dilution of the gas or vapor inhaled. The proper dilutionof oxygen gas with air before its inhalation is absolutely essential toits beneficial use. This I readily accomplish, as has been seen, by theemployment of the air-tube G and its valve and regulating-cock h.

My apparatus is easily adapted to the inhalation of a mixture of gasesor vapors by simply duplicating or multiplying the tubesf and retorts orother means for supplying the required gas.

\Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

The above-described apparatus for generating and inhaling vital oxygen,consisting of the generator B, receiver E, provided with the expandingbag K, induction gas and air-tubes /"G, with their valves 'i 'i,stop-cock h, and inhaling-tube L, combined, arranged, and operatingsubstantially as set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

THEODORE F. FRANK.

Witnesses JAY HYATT, l). P. Hansen.

